Nome January 2012

Nome reported a mean monthly temperature in January of -16.6°F, an extremely strong deviation of -21.8°F from the long term mean and making this the coldest January on record. The warmest monthly temperature was 21°F observed both on the 19thand 20thof January, while the coldest temperature on the 5thwith an unpleasant -40°F. New temperature minima were set on the 3rdof January, with a minimum of -37°F, surpassing the old minimum of -34°F, which was observed in 1949. The following day, the temperature dropped to -38°F, replacing the old record low of -34°F set in 1917. On the 5thJanuary, a low temperature of -40°F was reported, which matched the low temperature for this day set back in 1917. On the 12thJanuary, the minimum was ‑33°F, surpassing the old minimum of -32°F, which had been set in 1973. Finally, on the following day, the temperature dropped to -34°F, surpassing the old record of -32°F, also set in 1973. With the exception of few days during the middle of the month, the whole month was below normal.
Precipitation was very light, totaling 0.19", representing only 20% of the expected amount. The average wind speed for the month was light with 4.4 mph, and the highest gust observed was 54 mph on the 21st, blowing from a northerly direction.